Position(s): Director of Special Education (K-8)
Reports To: Chief Supports Officer/Director of Student Support Services
Compensation: Very competitive and commensurate with experience. A competitive benefits package and extensive professional development opportunities are also available.
Status: Full-Time
Work Schedule: Monday – Friday
FLSA Status: Exempt
Join our Team!!
We are seeking a dedicated Director of Special Education to support in the development and execution of special education program across grades K-8. You will work closely with our students, teachers and parents to implement a robust SPED program that supports the needs of the whole child.
About Merrick Academy
Merrick Academy is one of the first charter schools to open in New York City and the first to open (2000) in Queens. With a rich history and deep roots in the local community, Merrick Academy is an all-inclusive, independent Charter School with approximately 600 students in grades K-5 and a faculty and staff of 90. Queens’ first charter school, Merrick, has been educating children for over 20 years. Merrick Academy is a STEAM-based school cultivating critical thinking, problem-solving, and inquiry amongst all learners in an environment that provides extensive whole-child support. We believe in ensuring equity and empowerment for all learners through effective and innovative approaches to teaching and learning fostered by a world-class faculty.
Leading at Merrick Academy
Educators at Merrick Academy have a deep passion for STEAM-based education and for providing individualized learning support for all students. Through cutting-edge STEAM labs and electives (such as robotics, digital media arts, visual arts, coding, engineering, music, creative writing, foreign language, and chess), enrichment camps, and a host of grants focused on expanding the STEAM program, we are committed to providing a relevant and exceptional educational experience for all students.
In addition to our rigorous Common Core-aligned curriculum, our family-oriented staff is culturally diverse; we celebrate the diversity in people and ideas. We are passionate about engaging families in meaningful ways. Educators are provided with intense development and learning opportunities. Data-driven instruction focuses on data-driven practices, cultural responsiveness, and innovative practices. We foster an intensive collaborative environment that includes daily data dives, curriculum planning, grade team meetings, and the time to connect with colleagues.
Under the Direction of the Director of Student Support Services, the Director of Special Education is responsible for implementing and maintaining Special Education programs and services in compliance with state, and federal laws; planning, designing, and implementing all phases of service provided by the Special Education staff; serving as a resource to patrons, school personnel; and maintaining adequate staffing to ensure objectives of programs and services are achieved within budget.
To be successful as a Director of Special Education at Merrick, the ideal candidate must be a problem solver who is creative and builds relationships to reach goals; a coachable leader with a desire to grow as a professional; and a manager with exceptional communication, organization, and critical thinking skills. The top candidate will have excellent listening and observational skills, as well as an empathetic mindset.
The Special Education Director's duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
IEP/504/Related Services
- Oversee and manage a caseload of special education students and the implementation of their IEP/504 plans in: inclusive, self-contained and pull-out settings.
- Oversee special education billing processes and reporting systems.
- Facilitates IEP meetings using a strengths based and family centered approach.
- Evaluates/modifies school Special Education programs and monitors the implementation of special education and compliance with regulations.
- Maintains Special education service data, and student data related to IEP mandates.
- Ensures IEPs are developmentally appropriate, curriculum/standards -based, strength based, and relevant to individual students.
- Oversees the Maintainance of student files (paper and electronic) according to school and NYS standards.
- Oversees delivery of both special education instruction and related services as stipulated on IEPs/504 plans.
- Ensure compliance by the school with all local and Federal laws and regulation relating to students with IEPs/504 plans and students referred to special education.
- Ensure that services provided by contractual personnel (Related Services from the DOE) are of high quality, provided in the LRE, and are aligned with students’ IEPs/504 plans.
- Analyze, summarize, and make accessible and constructive for teachers and families information regarding neuropsychological/psychoeducational evaluations, psychological evaluations, IEPs, and 504 Plans completed in consultation with the Director of Student Support Services, Social Worker and Guidance Counselor to ensure a student’s social-emotional and academic needs are communicated and supported appropriately.
- Works alongside Academic Leadership to update students’ Special Education Individual Learning Plans for Tier 2 and Tier 3 students.
Support to Families
- Effectively communicates to parents and guardians the special education process including process for referrals, evaluations, annual IEPs/504 plans, and re-evaluations as well as parental rights granted by IDEA.
- Establishing and maintaining positive and effective communication with parents of students in the program.
- Facilitate workshops/ meetings for parents, as well as identify resources for parents of students with special needs.
- Assist families with applying for testing accommodations related to middle school and other programming.
Support to Teachers
- Trains staff on use of the school’s internal special education data platform.
- Trains staff on special education and law and compliance rules.
- Provides feedback to teachers on a variety of special education models and practices.
- Facilitates the learning and support of faculty to differentiate instruction, integrate metacognitive strategies, teach toward mastery, and use student-centered methodologies across all subject areas and grade levels.
- Provides training and technical assistance to teachers, related service providers and support service professionals on all aspects of case management: use of computer systems for the special education process, goal writing, progress reports, annual reviews and parent communication.
General Duties
- Supports the philosophy and vision of special services at Merrick Academy Charter School K-5
- Oversees, evaluates, and coaches those in the role of learning specialists, paraprofessionals (both in-house and agency), and related service providers.
- Chairs or participates in staffing which may result in IEP recommendations requiring additional financial commitments from the school system or which may have legal ramifications
- Maintains Merrick’s school tracking and data system that includes: student information related to IEPs, services, service hours, evaluations, referrals, timelines in which evaluations were completed, and discipline incidents.
- Approves special education requests for supplies, materials, and equipment.
- Facilitates meetings and processes, for the purpose of implementing and maintaining Special Education programs and services of the school which achieve desired objectives.
- Prepares documentation and reports data for the purpose of providing written support, conveying information, and complying with Federal and State regulations.
- Communicates information on programs, services, and regulations to school personnel, parents, the DSSS for the purpose of understanding of the programs.
- Writes drafts of school policy for special education as needed or required, for the purpose of assuring program consistency and compliance with state and federal rules.
- Represents the school system in dealing with outside agencies and organizations concerned with special education.
- Assists others in the preparation and review of reports generated for state funding of Special Education programs.
- Maintains a high level of knowledge regarding developing special education issues, changes in the laws and case law, and educational methods of educating students with disabilities, for the purpose of managing an excellent special education program.
- Plan special education initiatives and the implementation of initiatives. Integrates new developments, research findings, and best practices into ongoing programs and new initiatives.
- Track and maintain inventory of curricular and program-based equipment/materials.
- Identify and develop appropriate curriculum and school-based assessments to support the academic growth of students with IEPs/504 plans.
- Gathering and reporting data for all reporting requirements concerning students with IEPs/504 plans and other required reports (to the State, Department of Education, census, grant applications, annual report, etc.). Examples: Maintaining a high level of knowledge regarding developing special education issues such as changes in federal and local special education policy.
- As appropriate, connect with students outside providers, pediatricians, and therapists to support student’s needs in the classroom.
- Maintaining confidentiality of student records and student information.
- Ensure that students receive appropriate accommodations for all exams conducted at the School. This includes but is not limited to all teacher-created tests, school-generated interim assessments (Anet, etc.), and state exams.
- Ensure that students receive appropriate accommodations on all timed assignments that are either formative or summative and are graded.
Deliverables:
- Develops schoolwide Special Education Guide which includes teaching models/approach
- Updates all special education policies and systems in appropriate handbooks/memos
- Monthly SPED performance dashboards and program reports
- Facilitates team meetings and records
- Prepares, reviews, and submits (when appropriate) compliance reports
- Develop annual improvement targets and goals with a plan of action for SPED performance
- Evidence portfolio of school special education improvements (i.e., parallel teaching rubrics, etc.)
- Performance review process with a learning specialist and sped paraprofessionals
Qualifications
- Masters Degree Preferred
- SpEd or ELL background and relevant experience leading teams/administrative work
- Background in education or relevant experience preferred
- Experience in facilitating and leading teams
- K-8 background preferred
- Strong analytical skills
- Strong computer skills
- Strong knowledge and experience with student assessment, intervention, instruction, and curriculum
- Eagerness to collaborate with peers and strong teamwork skills
- Growth mindset and an ability to use feedback to improve teaching practices
- Ability to present data in multiple formats (charts, reports, comparisons, trend analysis, etc.)
- Commitment and passion for teaching students from underserved communities and to closing the achievement gap.
Americans with Disability Specifications
Physical Demands
The physical demands described here represent those that must be met by an employee to perform the essential functions of this job successfully. Reasonable accommodations may enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to handle or feel objects, tools, or controls; reach with hands and arms; climb stairs; balance; stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl; talk or hear; taste or smell. The employee may occasionally lift and move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
Work Environment
Work environment characteristics described here represent those that must be met by an employee to perform the essential functions of this job successfully. Reasonable accommodations may enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee may be exposed to weather conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
I acknowledge that:
I have read and understand the responsibilities and qualifications required to perform this job successfully. This job description describes the general nature and level of work performed by an individual in this position. This description implies that these are the only duties to be performed, and it is not an exhaustive list of all knowledge, skills, or abilities required. There may be additional duties as assigned. The employee must follow any job-related instructions and perform other job-related duties requested by anyone authorized to give instructions or assignments.
This description excludes the marginal functions incident to the performance of this job’s fundamental duties. All essential job duties and responsibilities are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities. To perform this job successfully, the employee will possess the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform each duty proficiently. Some requirements may exclude individuals who pose a direct threat or significant risk to the health or safety of themselves or others.
An Equal Opportunity Employer
It is the policy of Merrick Academy to provide educational and employment opportunities without regard to race, color, religion, creed, national origin, alienage and citizen status, age, marital status, veteran status, disability, prior record of arrest or conviction (except as provided by law), sexual orientation, gender (sex), or any other protected class, and to maintain an environment free of discriminatory harassment, including sexual harassment, or retaliation as required by civil rights law.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $90,000.00 - $100,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- 401(k) matching
- Dental insurance
- Employee assistance program
- Employee discount
- Flexible spending account
- Health insurance
- Health savings account
- Paid time off
- Parental leave
- Professional development assistance
- Referral program
- Relocation assistance
- Retirement plan
- Tuition reimbursement
- Vision insurance
Schedule:
Ability to Relocate:
- Queens, NY: Relocate before starting work (Required)
Work Location: In person